Composition of matter and method of



Patented May 8, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE" COMPOSITION OF MATTER AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Melvin De Groote, University City. Mo., assignor to Petrolite Corporation, Ltd., Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Original application December 10,

1943, Serial No. 513,782. Divided and this'appllcation July 26, 1944, Serial No. 546,747

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a new chemical product or compound and to the manufacture of same, my present application being a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 513,782, filed December 10, 1943.

One object of my invention is to provide a new chemical product or compound, that is particularly adapted for'use as a demulsifier for crude oil emulsions, but which is also capable of various other uses.

Another object of my invention is to provide a practicable method formanufacturing' said new chemical product or compound. I

Demuls'iflcation, as'contemplated in the present application, includes the preventive step of commingling the demulsifier with an aqueous component, which would or might subsequently become either phase of the em sion, in absence of such precautionary measure.

Although one of the primary objects'of my inyention is to provide a new compound or composition of matter, that is an eflicient demulsifler for crude oil emulsions of the water-in-oil type,

' said new compound or composition of matter has action velocity than aldehydes.

fication of crude oil emulsion of the water-in-oil p Attention is directed to the various aldehydes indicated in said aforementioned patent as being suitable for use in the process therein described.

I have found that the lower molecular weight aldehydes, such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde,

butyraldehyde, and thelike, to be most desirable.

One may, of course, employ hydroxyaldehydes, such as aldolor cyclic aldehyde, such as benzaldehyde, furfuraldehyde, etc. Generally. speaking,

my preference is to use formaldehyde,- Furthermore, it is known that ketones, particularly the simpler ketones, such as acetone, ethyl methyl ketone, diethyl ketone, and the like, will also produce acetals, but with lower yields and slower re- Thus, although ketones, particularly acetone, may be employed, it is decidedly more advantageous to use an aldehyde, particularly formaldehyde.

AOE'rA'L-TYPE Pnonucr Errample 1 e A kilogram of ricinoleic acid is treated with 250-500 grams of 40% formaldehyde solution, adding the formaldehyde solution little by little at 20" 0., and stirring while the addition takes place. When all of the aldehyde solution is added, the mixture is saturated with hydrochloric acid gas. The saturated mass is stirred for approximately 24-48 hours, adding additionalhy drochloric acid so that a maximum amount is present at all times.- At .theend of this reaction period, the reaction product is stirred with-an equal volume of a solution of sodium sulfate of approximately 10% strength. The mixture is .allowed to separate and the aqueous portion withdrawn. The acetalized product is then given acids and their esters on the one hand, and aldehydes and ketones on the other hand,,appears to be one of acetallzation. As to the manufacture of acetals of ricinoleic acid, castor oil, diricinoleic acid, polyricinoleic acid, and the like, reference is made to the process described in detail in German Patent No. 226,222, dated Septemher 27, 1910, to Farbwerke Vorm. 'Meister Lucius 1 82 Briming in Hochst A.'M. It is known that an acetal-type product of hydroxylated unsaturated fatty acids, as exemplified by ricinoleic acid, is

susceptible to gaseous oxidation with the produc-; tion of a resultant product of desirable characteristics. Similarly, I have found that such acetalized products are also susceptible to oxyalkylation with the formation of resultants of unusual properties, and very effective for use in demulsitwo subsequent washes with hot water, so as to remove all, or substantially, all, traces of hydrochloric acid. The product is then heated to a temperature of about 70 C., and dried carbon dioxide 0 gas passed through to remove any re- -maining traces of hydrochloric acid, as well as any moisture which may be present. "I'heprodnot thus Obtained may be conveniently designated as an acetal ofricinoleic-zacid.

ACETAL-TYPE Pnonucr Example 2 Castor, oil is substituted for ricinoleicacid in the previous example. Needless to say, in'the I presence of hydrochloric acid, at least part of the oilis decomposed into ricinoleic acid or polyricinoleic acid. Possiblydurin'g the hydrolytic' step, monoricinolein or diricinolein is also formed. Furthermore, it may be that the glycerol liberated forms an acetal-type complexproduct with one i or more of the previously indicated ricinoleic acid bodies and the reactant, formaldehyde.

\ ACETAL-TYPE Pnonucr Example 3 Acetone is substituted for formaldehyde in 5 Example l.

Aca'rAL-TYPr: Pnonuc'r Y Example 4 Acetone-is substituted for formaldehyde .in 1 3 Example 2.

In many instances acetalization or condensa- I See Chemical & Engineering News, August 10, 1943, p. 1250.

It will be noted that the products of the kind previously described have been referred to as acetals or acetal-type. A study of the reaction 1 tion involving a methylene bridge can be accomplished more readily by means of trioxane, rather 5 than formaldehyde, or some other formaldehyde polymer. The reaction rate can be controlled to a marked degree by varying the amount of catalyst suchas aluminumchloride, zinc chloride,

etc.

take place, it is suflicient to indicate that if one assumes a hypothetical hydration of oleic acid, it simply means a conversion into hydroxystearic acid; and naturally, in view of what has been said previously, a saturated hydroxy acid would reactto form an acetal just as readily as an unsaturated hydroxy fatty acid.

' Another explanation is that a hydrogen atom attached to a carbon atom, immediately adjacent to anethylene linkage is activated by such ethylene linkage, and thus becomes reactive under the conditions described. Plausibility is lent to this explanation by the somewhat analogous reaction between maleic anhydride and oleic acid,

without involving the ethylene linkage of the oleic acid. Further emphasis is suggested by, the fact that this last mentioned reaction ap-' pears to, take place more readily with linoleic acid than with oleic acid. The structure of linoleic acid suggests the mutual activation of the hydrogen atoms of the methylene-radical v situated between the two ethylene radicals. However, a consideration of what has just been said indicates that one cannot rule out the possibility involving formaldehyde and ricinoleic acid under 1 conditions described, indicates that they alcoholic i hydroxy disappears to a greater or lesser degree,

and apparently the product formed is an acetal, L 3 which may be indicated .3 following formula:

. 0 CH:(CHa)r HCH1CH;CH(CH:)=COOH The central methylene radical naturally is a residual radical derived from formaldehyde; and

in a general way by the 1 in the event some other aldehyde would be emf ployeelrthe residual radical would be in which R represents the hydrocarbon or hydroxyhydrocarbon radical derived from the aldehyde employed, such as acetaldehyde, aldol, crotonaldehyde, etc. Similarly, ,if a" ketone would II -b en" in which R and R" represent radicals derived 1 fromthe keton employed, such as methyl radi- -;-cals, ethyl radicals, etc. i However, it is probable that even when one 1 acid produced by the formation of the acetalcombines with the unreacted hydroxy acid, such as ricinoleic acid, and that actually one might .build l up a more complex structure than the simple one indicated above. Furthermore, reference to I the aforementioned German patent reveals the fact that such. procedure, i. e., the reaction with an aldehyde, such as formaldehyde, in presence ,of a strong mineral acid, suchas hydrochloric f 3 acid, or sulfuric acid, may take place with an gordinary unsaturated fatty acid, such as oleic iacid. Without attempting to point out hypo- 1 thetical reactions by which such reactionscan be employed, the central radical wouldappear thus-r" a starts withiricinoleic acid, actually the dibasic that some further complex reactions may take place in the reaction of ricinoleic acid with acetalforming compounds, for example, in such a, manher as to involve the ethylene linkage. For these reasons, it is obvious that 'one cannot indicate the exact nature of the chemical compounds or compositions of matter obtained and that one must describe them in terms ofthe method of manufacture. Thus, the most convenientterminology is that. usually employed, to wit, to

refer to the products as acetals or reaction products of the acetal type. To indicate those obtained bymeans of aldehydes, they will be referred to as acetals of aldehydes; and those obtained by means of ketones will be referred to as ketone acetals. Because the exact nature of the final reaction product is not known, more properly the compositions can be designated as the reaction product of unsaturated hydroxy fatty acid bodies of high molecular weight with ketones or aldehydes, which are acetal-forming compounds containing a reactive carbonyl group.

'Having obtained the reaction products of the acetal type in the manner indicated, the next step is to subject such reaction products to the action of an olefine oxide containinga reactive ethylene oxide ring;

As typical examplesof applicable oxyalkylating compounds may be mentioned glycerine epichlorhydrin, glycide alcohol,

oxide, styreneoxide, cyclohexylene oxide, cyclopentene oxide, etc.

It is well known that if triricinolein, preferably in the form of castor oil, is treated with an oxyalkylating agent, particularly ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, glycidohor the like, and if one employs'a large molecular proportion of th oxyalkylating agent for each 'mole or occurrence of the ricinoleyl radical, thatone can convert castor oil into a water-soluble product. The conventional. procedure is well known,- and generally speaking, involves nothing more nor less than heating eastor oil in th pres'ence of I successive small amounts of alkyleneoxide or the like, under comparatively low pressures and fairly low temperatures,. and usually in the presence of an .alkylene catalyst, as, for example, sodium ethylene oxide,

propylene oxide, butene-2 oxide, butene-l oxide, isobutylene oxide, butadiene oxide, butadiene dioxide, chloroprene oxide, isoprene'oxide, decene .ricinoleate. The temperatures employed are generally above 100' C. and below 200 C. The pressures employed are generally above 100 lbs.

gauge and below 300 lbs. gauge pressure. Someoxide is absorbed. Another portion of ethylene oxide is added, and the procedure repeated until water solubility is obtained. Not infrequently as many as 30 lb. moles of the oxyalk-ylating agent are employed for one pound mole of tri-' ricinolein, in order to obtain complete watersolubility. Needless to say, ethylene oxide promotes solubility in lower molecular proportions 3 than propylene oxide or butylene oxide. Furthermore, ethylene oxide is preferable, due to its greater reactivity. I

I have found that ifone oxyalkylates an acetal of the kind described so as to introduce 3 to 20 ether linkages for each acyl radical, one

obtains a product which has particular merit as a demulsifier and also utility in other arts. This is particularly true in the more highly oxyalkylated forms, that is, the .type which show complete water solubility.

In the manufacture of such oxyalkylated acetals, I prefer, for the sakeof convenience, to

consider the molecular weight of the acetal the,

same as if it it were the unmodified fatty material. that the reactions which take place are only partially understood, and since the ratio of reactants is not critical, it appears to be entirely justified. .The following are examples of my new chemical product or compound.

Comrosrrrou .or MATTER Example 1 One pound mole of ricinoleic acid is converted into an acetal in the manner described underthe sub-heading Acetal-type product, Example 1, preceding. The acetal is reacted with 3 pound moles of ethylene oxide in the presence of onehalf of 1% of sodium stearate as a catalyst. The temperatures employed are approximately 120 C. to 200 C. The pressures employed are between 100 lbs. gauge pressure and 300 lbs. gauge pressure. The time required may vary from 3 to 12 hours, depending upon speed of agitation, etc.

COMPOSITION or MATTER Example 2 Acetals, as described under the headings Acetal-type product, Example 2, Acetal-type product, Example 3, and "Acetal-type product,

Example 4, are substituted for the acetal employed in the preceding example. The ratio of ethylene oxide per acyl radical, to wit, the 3 to 1 ratio, is maintained.

COMPOSITION or MATTER Example 3 The same procedure is followed as in Examples 1 and 2, preceding, except that 6 lb. moles of of ethylene oxide are employed instead of 3 pound moles.

This is not strictly correct, but insofar Courosrrrox or- MATTER Example 4 v The same procedure is followed as in Examples 1 and 2, preceding, except that 9 lb. moles of ethylene v oxide are employed instead of 3 lb.

moles. i Y

Courosrrr'ou or MATTER Example 5 The same procedure is followed as in Examples 1 and 2, preceding, except that 15 lb. moles ofethylene oxide are employed instead of .3 lb.

moles.

Comrosrrron or MATTER Example 6 The same procedure is followed as in Examples 1 to 5, preceding, except that propylene oxide is substituted for ethylene oxide.

Materials of the kind herein contemplated are useful as wetting, detergent, and leveling agents in the, laundry, textile and dyeing industry; as wetting agents and detergents in the acid washing of fruit, in the acid washing of building stone and brick; as a wetting agent and spreaderv in the application of asphalt in road building and the like; as a constituent of soldering flux preparations; as a flotation reagent in the flota- 1 tion separation of various minerals; for flocculation and coagulation of various aqueous suspensions containing negatively charged particles such as sewage, coal washing waste water, and

various trade wastes and the like; as germicides,

,water-in-oil emulsions, and more specifically,-

to sweeten gasoline.

Groote and Keiser.

' insecticides, emulsifiers for cosmetics, spray oils, These useswater repellent textilefinish, etc. are by no means exhaustive.

However, the most important phase of the present invention, as far as industrial application goes, is concerned with the use of the materials previously described as demulsifiers for emulsions of water or brine in crude petroleum. I have found that the chemical compounds or reagents herein described which are particularly desirable for use as demulsiflers, may also be used for other purposes, for instance, as a break inducer in doctor treatment of the kind intended See U. S. Patent No. 2,157,223, dated May 9, 1939, to Sutton.

Chemical compounds of the kind herein described are also of value as surface tension depressants in the acidization of calcareous oilbearing strata by means of strong mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid. Similarly, some members are effective as surface tension depressants or wetting agents in the flooding of exhausted oil-bearing strata.

As to using compounds of the kind herein de scribed as flooding agents for recovering oil. from subterranean strata, reference is made, to the procedure described in detail in U; S. Patent No, 2,226,119, dated December 24,1940, to De As to using compounds of the kind herein described as demulsifiers, or in particular as surface tension depressants, in combination with mineral acid or acidization of oil-bearing strata, reference is made to U. S. Patent No. 2,233,383, dated February 25, 1941, to De Groote and Keiser.

Conventional demulsifying agents employedin the treatment of oil field emulsions are used as such, or after dilution with any suitable solvent, such as water; petroleum hydrocarbons, such as gasoline, kerosene, stove oil; a coal tar product,

[conventional demulsifying agents. l 4 S ial or materials may be used alone, or

such as benzene, toluene, xylene, tar acid oil, Alcohols, particuvcresol, anthracene oil, etc. larly aliphatic alcohols. such as methyl alcohol,

ethyl alcohol, denatured-alcohol, propyl alcohol,

butyl ,alcoholjhexyl alcohol, octyl alcohol, etc may be employed as diluents. Miscellaneous solvents, such as pine oil, carbon tetrachloride,

sulfur dioxide vextractobtained in the refining 'of petroleumjetc may be employed as diluents.

Similarly, the material or materials herein dein admixture with other suitable well known classes of demulsifying agents.

It is-well known that conventional demulsifying agents may be used in a water-soluble form,

or in anoil-soluble form, or in a form exhibiting both oil and water solubility. .Sometimes they may be used in a form which exhibits relareagents are-sometimesusedin a ratio'of 1 to 10,000, or 1 to 20,000,.or even 1 to 30,000, or 1 to 40,000, or 1 to 50,000, in desaltiug practice, such I an apparent insolubility in oil and water is' not significant, because said reagents undoubtedly have solubility Within the concentration em-" ployed. The same fact is true in regard to the material or materials herein described.

I desire'to point out that the superiority of my new demulsifier isbased upon its ability to treat certain emulsions more advantageously and at a somewhat lower cost than is possible with other available demulsifiers, or conventional mixtures thereof. It is believed it will find com j paratively' limited application, so far as the majority of oil field emulsions are concerned; but I have found that such a demulsifying agent has commercial value, as it will economically low a cost with the demulsifying agents hereto- 1 fore available. v

The demulsifier herein contemplated may be employed in connection with what is commonly 7 1o 1 )scribed maybe admixed with oneor more of the j I \solvents customarily used in connection with ,3 Moreover,

tively limited oil solubility. However, since such 1 i break or resolve oil field emulsions in a number of 1 cases which cannot be treated as easily or at so hydrochloric acid or the like, and thus expedite its removal. I The new compounds herein described are of utility, not only for the purposes specifically enumerated in detail, but also find application in various other industries, processes, and for various uses where wetting agents of the conventional type are used. As to some of such uses which are well known, see The expanding application of wetting agents, Chemical Industries, volume 48, page 324 (1941).

- Seemy co-pending application Serial No. 513,783, filed December 10, 1943, in which drastically-oxidized acetalized 'ricinoleic acid com-- pounds are subjected to oxyalkylation and employed for various purposes, including demulsification'of crude oil emulsions. I am aware of the fact that the herein described oxyalkylated products may be subjected to drastic gaseous oxidation, i. e., blowing with air or the like, so as to yield products which are different in nature from those emunerated in my aforementioned co-pending application, and yet equally satisfactory for the various purposes described in said co-pending application.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as-new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. Anew composition of matter, consisting of an oxyalkylated resultant of the acetalization reaction product of a. member of the group consisting of ricinoleic acid, polyricinoleic acid and their esters, with a member of the group consisting of aldehydes and ketones, with the proviso that said oxyalkylated resultant has three to twenty v ether linkages for each acyl radical.

2. The new composition described in claim 1, wherein the composition is an oxyethylated derivative.

3. The new composition described in claim 1, wherein the composition is a water-insoluble oxyethylated derivative.

known as down-the-hole procedure, 1. e., bringing thedemulsifler in contactwith the fluids of j the well at the bottom or the well, or at some point prior to the emergence of said well fluids.

This particular type of application is decidedly feasible when the demulsifier is used in connec- 9 tion with acidification of calcareous oil-bearing 5 strata, especially if suspended in or dissolved in 4. The new composition described in claim 1,

wherein the composition is a water-insoluble oxyethylated derivative of ricinolei'c acid.

5. The new composition described in claim 1,.

wherein the composition is a Water-insoluble oxyethylated derivative of polyricinoleic acid.

6. The new composition described in claim 1,

wherein the composition is a water-insoluble oxyethylated derivative of ricinoleic acid esters. a

' 7. ,In themanufacture of the new composition ofmatter described in claim 1, the step of acetaliz- 1 ing a member of the group consisting of ricinoleic acid; polyricinoleic acid," and their .esters, with a member of the group consisting of aldehyde and ketones, and then oxyalkylating said 'acetalized derivatives.

" MELVIN DE GROOTE. 

